Who is SpeedCraft a division of Muir Models?

[simon1966]

I am making a Burlington Sandhouse an older looking wood and cardstock model made by a company called Speedcraft, a division of Muir models. Does anyone know anything about this company? I don't think it is around any more, at least a google did not reveal anything. Just curious more than anything....[?]

The topic that sank like a stone to page 5! So a quick edit to see if anyone knows a thing about this apparently obscure structure manufacturer.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately Muir has been gone for a number of years. They made some really nice challenging craftsman style kits at one time. Don't know anything about the Speedcraft offshoot, however.

[rogerhensley]

Muir made beautiful craftsman kits. However, I noted a number of my customers (I used to have a hobby shop) would open the box, take a look and quickly close it and put it back on the shelf and look around to see if anyone was watching. I always jokingly said that what they saw was a box of large toothpicks. It wasn't, of course, but it WAS a kit. :-)

I believe that Speedcraft was a less complicated kit than the Muir. I never stocked any of those, so I can't give a definite answer on that. Alas, as already said, both are history as are many of the craftsman kit manufacturers.

[simon1966]

Thanks Roger, any idea how old this kit is likely to be? The instructions have that faded yellow look of having been around a long time. The speedcrat kit was not at all difficult to make, so perhaps was releasd in answer to modelers concern that the Muir line was too complicated. Anyway, this little sandhouse is now built and on my layout.

[rogerhensley]

How old? 20 years...

Muir was fairly new in 1980 and was getting raves, but few sales. SpeedCraft would have come in about 1984-5.

20 years. :-)

[Anonymous]

SpeedCraft was the lower end division of Muir Models, simpler, easier, cheaper ...supposedly. The kits are nice, but the directions leave a lot to be desired. They pop up from time to time at trainshows, ebay and hobbyshops.

[simon1966]

Lensav, thanks for adding to the thread. Having made the model I would agree that the directions were a little weak. Some parts were not even mentioned but could be seen in the photo of the structure.

Anyway, since this was your first contribution to the forum, Welcome and come in and enjoy the party. This is a great corner of the web to hang out.